W&OD
Railroad Regional Park,VA
Trail Location: Arlington to Purcellville
Trail Length: 45 miles
www.wodfriends.org
Counties: Arlington; Fairfax; Loudoun
Activities: Walking, Horseback Riding, Biking, Cross Country Skiing, In-line
Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible
Trail Surface(s): Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Trail Description: The 100-foot-wide W&OD has been called "the skinniest park in
Virginia." But it is also one of the
longest parks, 45 miles of paved trail for walking, running, bicycling and
skating and 30 miles of adjacent gravel trail for
horseback riding. Built on the roadbed of the former Washington & Old Dominion
Railroad, the multi-use W&OD Trail runs
through the urban heartland and countryside of Northern Virginia.
Parking & Trail Access: Places to Park along the W&OD
LEESBURG WEST
Take Route 7 west into Leesburg past the Douglass Community Center and turn left
on Catoctin Circle. Follow that road
until you turn left on Dry Mill Road. Turn immediately right into the parking
lot of Loudoun County High School. The trail is
several hundred yards further down Catoctin Circle. Only for parking on weekends
during the school year. Horseback
riders are requested to clean up after their horses in the parking lot.
PURCELLVILLE
Take Route 7 West. Exit the Bypass at Route 287; turn left. Turn right onto
Hirst Road, then left on Maple Street. Turn left
into the parking lot of Loudoun Valley High School. Only for parking on weekends
during the school year. Horseback
riders are requested to clean up after their horses in the parking lot.
W&OD Railroad Regional Park, VA -- Part 2
# Colvin Run Horse Trail A Reston path, beginning one block off the W&OD, at
#1807 Michael Farraday Court. (Mile 17.x)
A natural-surface trail, it winds through the wooded valley of Colvin Run to
Lake Fairfax Park. Inside this large park,
generally follow Colvin Run on the south bank. On the eastern edge of the park,
the horse trail resumes. It crosses Hunter
Mill Road and it ends across Route 7 from Colvin Mill. By crossing Route 7 at
the light at Carpers Farm Way, equestrians
can continue on the trail (it resumes at the Fairfax County building). The trail
fords Difficult Run four times between Route
7 and Georgetown Pike (Route 193). The trail ends at the Potomac River.
Directions: trail begins on the western edge of
the rear parking lot of #1807 Michael Farraday Court.
# Clarks Crossing Park (Mile 13.x) 3.2 miles of trails which connect with
private trails in a neighborhood to the West. In the
park itself, you will find a dressage ring.
Note: horses are not allowed further east than Vienna.